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The seven legislative district representatives of Negros Occidental, including the highly urbanized Bacolod City, now all come from prominent political families as three former lawmakers are set to return to the House of Representatives this July. In the 1st District, Julio Ledesma IV was proclaimed yesterday after securing a mandate for a new term during …

By JEN BAYLON The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) expressed gratitude for the peaceful conduct of the May 12 midterm elections while acknowledging areas for improvement in their preparations. Despite their overall success, Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said there were challenges with some election materials. “Preparation, automated counting machines …

At least 11 localities in Negros Occidental, including the highly urbanized Bacolod City, are experiencing ashfall and sulfur smell after the explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island early yesterday. As of 4:00 p.m., the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Emergency Operations Center has monitored either ashfall or sulfur smell in …

By JEN BAYLON The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained Kanlaon Volcano’s status at Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) following a significant increase in seismic activity and volcanic gas emissions, signaling the possibility of short-lived explosive eruptions. According to the advisory released at 1:30 p.m. yesterday, a total of 72 volcanic earthquakes were …

The midterm elections in Western Visayas are off to a mostly peaceful start, but police are currently looking into two separate incidents that may involve violations of election rules. Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), said that as of midday, no major election-related violence had been reported. “So far, …

By JEN BAYLON The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has implemented a strict two-day liquor ban across the region from May 11 to 12, in line with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11057, as part of efforts to ensure peaceful and orderly midterm elections. The ban prohibits the sale and …

In preparation for the takeover of the new administration, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who is eyeing the congressional post in the May 12 polls, formed the local governance transition team (LGTT) on Friday, May 9. “The Department of the Interior and Local Government [DILG] encourages local government units [LGUs] to establish an LGTT …

Three municipalities in Western Visayas have advanced from the pink (buffer) zone to the yellow (surveillance) zone in the national African swine fever (ASF) classification system, following the successful completion of sentinelling protocols. According to data from the National ASF Prevention and Control Program, the towns of Banga and Buruanga in Aklan, along with San …

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Power is fully prepared to ensure a reliable power supply throughout the upcoming National and Local Elections on May 12, 2025, with a comprehensive contingency plan dubbed “Oplan Halalan 2025.” This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to supporting democratic processes by guaranteeing a stable power grid before, during and after election day. …

Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), a subsidiary of Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc., announced on Thursday, May 8, the commissioning of its new water treatment plant that will deliver an additional 25 million liters per day (MLD) to households in this highly-urbanized city. “This is a major step forward from where we started. Gindesisyunan gid namon nga …